THE INTERNATIONAL-LABOR-ORGANIZATION AND THE WELFARE-STATE - INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTS ON NATIONAL WELFARE SPENDING, 1960-80

National welfare programs are importantly affected by models of welfar e activity institutionalized at the global level. This article examine s the impact of the welfare regime advocated by and within the Interna tional Labor Organization (ILO). Countries that have recently ratified ILO conventions related to welfare show increased growth in spending, net of national characteristics. Subanalyses show that the effects of ILO ratification are strong in the industrialized capitalist democrac ies, particularly where prior welfare spending is low and the working class has a weakly institutionalized role in policymaking. ILO ratific ation seems disconnected from spending in the less developed countries . Legislative case studies point to similar patterns. These findings s uggest that international norms contribute to policy where they offer compelling models that powerful actors can use to legitimate policy in novation.